There are many spiritual benefits of mentioning God and glorifying Him with praise. This is in addition to the rewards that God has assigned for this amazing act of devotion. From the greatest spiritual benefits of mentioning God and glorifying Him with praise is that God loves people engaged in this special devotion. The Quran mentions a number of the rewards that are associated with this love from God. God forgives such people and grants them the greatest of reward, “and the men who mention God and glorify Him with praise often and the women who do so – for them God has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” [33:35]
Another benefit of mentioning God and glorifying Him with praise is that it makes those engaged in it spiritually alive and allows their heart to flourish through the mentioning God and glorifying Him with praise. The Messenger Muhammad ﷺ said, “The example of the one who is engaged in mentioning his Lord with praise in comparison to the one who is not, is similar to the living compared to the dead.”
Another benefit is that mentioning God and glorifying Him with praise affords protection to the one who is consistent upon it. The statements of mentioning God and glorifying Him with praise afford the practitioner protection from Satan, his allies and tricks, or from some worldly harm. The Messenger Muhammad ﷺ told us that John, son of Zachariah, told his people, “I command you to mention God and glorify Him with praise, for this is like a man who is being pursued by the enemy, then he comes to a strong fortress and saves himself from them. Similarly, a man cannot save himself from Satan except by means of mentioning God and glorifying Him with praise.”
The mentioning of God and glorifying Him with praise removes the hardness of the heart and the spiritual rust that covers it due to negligence of God and heedlessness. God says concerning the evildoers, describing the state of their hearts, “No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts because of the evil they did.” [83:14] The way to remedy this spiritual ailment is through the mentioning of God and glorifying Him with praise, as it softens the heart and opens it up to being constantly aware of God.
The mentioning of God and glorifying Him with praise helps us with the hardships of this worldly life. Thikr is a source of refuge from the problems of this world. It allows us to transcend the issues we face, and instead place our complete faith and trust in God. God says, “Those who believe and find tranquility in the mention of God and glorify Him with praise. Unquestionably, in the mentioning of God and glorifying Him with praise do the hearts find tranquility.” [13:28]
One of the greatest benefits of the mentioning of God and glorifying Him with praise is that it is open at all times without restriction. It is an act of devotion and a channel of communication that is accessible all the time. The Messenger Muhammad ﷺ was described by his wife, Aishah, as mentioning God and glorifying Him with praise at all times and in all situations.
If you can make this part of your daily practice when waking up, in the morning and evening, before sleeping and throughout the day, it will strengthen and fortify your faith. It will give you an increase in God’s blessings and favours, as well as granting you an amazing avenue for gaining tremendous amounts of reward.